Cuddalore: The Crime branch officials of Cuddalore district arrested the managing director of a private sugar mill for allegedly duping sugarcane farmers to the tune of Rs 80 crore in the last few years. He has been identified as Rama Thiyagarajan, MD attached with Thiru Arooran Sugars Ltd, Chittur near Vridhachalam, Cuddalore district.
Police took action after the farmers complained that the mill failed to pay their dues since 2016-17. As many as 1,500 farmers sent cane to the mill for crushing.
Farmers alleged that the mill took their signatures on applications by making them belief to transfer cash on their bank accounts in instalments. The management assured them that they are taking the help of nationalised bank to pay their dues. However, they received notice from the bank demanding to repay loans that they borrowed from the bank.
The farmers later realised that the mill management had borrowed loan on their names and transferred the amount to their bank accounts as cane arrears. Farmers alleged that many private mills indulge in such activities.
